Solar panel fire skirt

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards fire blocking apparatuses. A fire blocking apparatus for a solar panel is mounted to an underlying mounting surface. The fire blocking apparatus includes a panel support structure sized and shaped to be mounted between a solar panel and the mounting surface thereby supporting and creating a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, where at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/136,793 filed Apr. 22, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/535,892, filed on Jun. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,320,926, issued Apr. 26, 2016, all of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to equipment and accessories for flush andtilted roof installations of solar panels, and in particular, todevices, systems and methods of installation for fire suppression andprevention in roof mounted solar panels.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Building and construction codes in many countries and jurisdictionsinclude stringent fire codes that require active and passive systems forstopping or limiting the spread of fire in buildings and otherstructures. Such fire codes include specific ratings for determining thecapabilities of various aspects of buildings and structures forpreventing, suppressing or retarding the ignition or the spread of fire.Pertinent to embodiments of the present invention, are the fire codesthat are concerned with roofs and roofing systems.

To increase the safety of buildings, roof specific fire codes have beenpromulgated that require new and existing roofs be able to withstandcertain specified tests. Such tests are designed to determine theefficacy of various roofs and roofing systems to resist or limit thespread of fire and heat in a variety of conditions. Typically, thetested rating or the determined efficacy of a particular roof or roofingsystem must be maintained despite the addition or augmentation of theroof or roofing system due to the installation of a secondary system.

Such secondary systems that can be installed on rooftops range fromwater towers and HVAC systems to photovoltaic solar panel installations.Each such secondary system can present a new set of challenges for theroof or roofing system to maintain its previously determined fire ratingdue to the fact that many of the secondary systems can includeadditional weight, penetrations, heat, debris traps and other factorsand variables that were not present when the roof for roofing system wasoriginally designed or installed. In the case of solar panels, there isincreasing pressure from the roofing industry to ensure that both flushmounted and tilted roof mounted solar panel systems minimize theirimpact on the fire rating of roofs and roofing systems onto which theyare installed.

Specifically, there is concern that the inclusion of solar panels mayincrease the likelihood that a fire on the roof for roofing system willspread more rapidly. Due to such concerns, various jurisdictions areresponding by developing and promulgating new fire code standardsspecifically aimed at rooftop solar panel installations. For example, inthe United States local, state, and federal government officials andagencies are cooperating with the roofing and solar panel industries andother organizations to determine changes to existing fire codes anddeveloping new fire codes directed at rating the efficacy of rooftopsolar panel installations to resist, suppress, or retard the ignitionand spread of fire. Such codes include requirements forbuilding-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products and rack mountedphotovoltaic products for each of such products. Such codes includerequirements for installation, materials, wind resistance, and fireclassification. It is expected that the requirements for buildingintegrated photovoltaic systems and rack mounted photovoltaic systemswill be different.

Thus, there is a need for systems, methods, and devices for theinstallation of solar panels that meet the new and existing fire codes.The present invention solves these and other problems by providingretrofit and original installation devices and methods for theinstallation of solar panels on both flat and tilted roofs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention improve fire resistance of roofsand roofing systems with solar panel installations. In one embodiment, afire blocking apparatus for a solar panel mounted to an underlyingmounting surface, the fire blocking apparatus includes a panel supportstructure sized and shaped to be mounted between a solar panel and themounting surface thereby supporting and creating a gap between at leasta portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, where at least aportion of the panel support structure includes a heat or fire sensitivematerial configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predeterminedtemperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solarpanel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predeterminedtemperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gapbetween the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mountingsurface.

The panel support structure my include a heat or fire sensitive leg. Insome embodiments, the panel support structure includes a support leg anda coupling joint that includes a heat or fire sensitive adhesive orfastener. The panel support structure may position the solar panel at anangle relative to the underlying mounting surface. In embodiments, theangle is defined by the solar panel and the underlying mounting surface.The angle may decrease when the panel support structure collapses. Thepanel support structure may include a first end and a second endopposite of the first end. The first end may be coupled to a bottomsurface of the solar panel, and the second end is coupled to theunderlying mounting surface.

In embodiments, a fire blocking apparatus for a solar panel mounted onbrackets that separate the solar panel from an underlying mountingsurface, the fire blocking apparatus includes a structure including aheat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at apredetermined temperature, the structure having a length, a width andfirst and second edges spaced apart along opposing ends of the width; afirst edge coupling joint configured to couple the structure to a solarpanel in a first position that enables ventilation and cooling for thesolar panel through a gap between the solar panel and the mountingsurface; and where the structure is configured to collapse to block thegap between the solar panel and the mounting surface when coupled to thesolar panel in the first position and heated above the predeterminedtemperature.

The first edge coupling joint may include a heat or fire sensitivematerial configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predeterminedtemperature. The first edge coupling joint may cause the second edge ofthe structure to make contact with the underlying mounting surface toclose the gap when the first edge coupling joint melts, deforms, orwarps at the predetermined temperature. In certain embodiments, thestructure is perpendicular to the roof surface when the first edgecoupling joint melts, deforms, or warps at the predeterminedtemperature. The structure may be made from a deformable material thatmelts, deforms, or warps at the predetermined temperature. In someembodiments, the structure deforms to make contact with the underlyingmounting surface in more than one distinct location when the structuremelts, deforms, or warps at the predetermined temperature.

In embodiments, a fire blocking system for a solar panel array mountedon brackets that separate the solar panel array from an underlyingtilted mounting surface, the apparatus includes a downslope fireblocking apparatus an upslope fire blocking apparatus. The downslopefire blocking apparatus includes a first structure including a heat orfire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a firstpredetermined temperature, the first structure having a first structurelength, a first structure width and first structure first and secondedges spaced apart along opposing ends of the first structure width; anda first structure edge coupling joint positioned at the first structurefirst edge and configured to couple the first structure to a downslopeportion of the solar panel array in a first position that enablesventilation and cooling for the solar panel array through a first gapbetween the solar array panel and the mounting surface; where the firststructure is configured to collapse from the first position to a secondposition when the first structure is heated above the firstpredetermined temperature, where in the second position the firststructure blocks the first gap between the solar panel array and themounting surface. The upslope fire blocking apparatus includes a secondstructure including a heat or fire sensitive material configured tomelt, deform, or warp at a second predetermined temperature, the secondstructure having a second structure length, a second structure width andsecond structure first and second edges spaced apart along opposing endsof the width; and a second structure edge coupling joint positioned atthe second structure first edge and configured to couple the secondstructure to an upslope portion of the solar panel array in a thirdposition that enables ventilation and cooling for the solar panelthrough a second gap between the solar panel array and the mountingsurface; where the second structure is configured to collapse from thethird position to a fourth position when the second structure is heatedabove the second predetermined temperature, where in the fourth positionthe second structure blocks the second gap.

The first predetermined temperature may be equal to the secondpredetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the first structure edgecoupling joint and the second structure edge coupling joint include aheat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp atthe first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively. The firststructure edge coupling joint and second structure edge coupling jointmay cause the first structure second edge and second structure secondedge, respectively, to make contact with the underlying mounting surfaceto close the first and second gaps when the first and second structureedge coupling joints melt, deform, or warp at the first and secondpredetermined temperatures. The first and second structures may be madefrom a deformable material that melts, deforms, or warps at therespective first and second predetermined temperatures. In someembodiments, the first and second structures each make contact with theunderlying mounting surface in more than one distinct location when eachof the structures melt, deform, or warp at the first and secondpredetermined temperatures, respectively.

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide abetter understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates conventional tilted and flat roof solar panelinstallations.

FIG. 2A illustrates a rooftop fire suppressing solar panel mountingsystem according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a rooftop fire suppressing solar panel mountingsystem according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a collapsing rooftop fire suppressing solar panelmounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another collapsing rooftop fire suppressing solarpanel mounting system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rooftop fire suppressing solar panel mountingsystem with integrated ballast according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates fire suppressing solar panel mounting brackets foruse on flat roofs according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fire suppressing solar panel mounting bracket foruse on flat roofs according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fire blocking solar panel mounting bracket for useon flat roofs according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fire blocking solar panel assembly with collapsibleside skirts according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fire blocking solar panel fire skirt according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fire blocking solar panel building-integratedphotovoltaic mounting system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a fire blocking solar panel mounting system for useon tilted roofs mounting system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a solar panel fire skirt assembly with divertinglouvers according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are techniques for making, installing, and using solarpanel mounting systems and add-on devices to prevent, suppress, a retardthe spread of fire in rooftop solar panel installations. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examplesand specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention as defined by theclaims may include some or all of the features in these examples aloneor in combination with other features described below, and may furtherinclude modifications and equivalents of the features and conceptsdescribed herein.

As used herein, the term solar panel refers to any device in a planar orsemi-planar form factor that captures, collects, or otherwise uses solarenergy to produce electricity, heat, or other forms of energy. Typicalforms of solar panels include panels of continuous or connectedphotovoltaic (PV) cells that convert photons to electrons, panels oftubing or ductwork through which water or air can be circulated tocapture heat, and reflector cells that reflect solar energy in the formof heat to produce electricity or steam. Such solar panels can beinstalled on both flat and tilted roofs.

Such solar panels can be installed at the same time the roof for roofingsystem is installed in the building, as is typically done in newconstruction. In the case of photovoltaic solar panels, such integrationinto the building structure is often referred to as abuilding-integrated photovoltaic system (BIPV). Alternatively, solarpanels can be installed on an existing roof for roofing system usingvarious types of weights, ballast, racks, brackets, mounts, fasteners,and other hardware that can be incorporated into or augmented by variousembodiments of the present invention. The discussion of variousembodiments of the present invention herein refers to the types of solarpanel installations with regard to new and existing flat and tiltedroofs and roofing systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates several simplified fire code testing scenariosaddressed by various embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, solar panels 101A can be mounted on a tilted roof surface 110Ausing brackets 102A. In such scenarios, the mounting brackets 102A caninclude individual mounting brackets separately attached to a solarpanel or mounting rails to which multiple solar panels can be attached.In either scenario, the mounting brackets 102A and 102B can haveL-shaped or T-shaped cross-sections. Some embodiments of the mountingrails and brackets include extruded metal or composite materials.

In either the tilted roof for the flat roof installation, some firecodes are concerned with the ability of the combination of the solarpanel, the mounting brackets or mounting rails, and the roofing systemto resist the ignition and spread of fire underneath the solar panelwhen flames of a certain temperature, velocity, and duration aredirected at the side of the solar panel and into the gap between thesolar panel and the roof surface along directions 103, 104, 105, 106,108, and 109. Various embodiments the present invention are directedtowards blocking or redirecting the flames from directions 103, 104,105, 106, 108, and 109 to achieve the performance requirements of firecodes and to prevent the spread or ignition of fire on a roofing system.

FIG. 2A shows a solar panel mounting device 206 for flat roofinstallations according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown, the mounting frame 206 can include a top mounting surface 202 andsloped side surfaces 203, 204, 207, and 208. Sloped side service 208 caninclude a ballast shelf 205 for accepting weights or ballast 210. Insuch embodiments, the mounting frame device 206 can include a topmounting surface 202 other solid to which the solar panel 201 isattached. In other embodiments the top mounting surface 202 can includea recess or an opening to accept the solar panel 201 along the bottom,perimeter, or edge of the solar panel 201 or solar panel frame.

The sloped side surfaces 203, 204, 207, and 208 can be coupled to thetop mounting surface 202 by various means and at various angles. Theangle at which the side surfaces 203, 205, 207, and 208 are coupled tothe top mounting surface 202 can be varied to minimize wind resistanceand further enhance the capability of the mounting frame 206 to resistthe spread of flames. In such embodiments, the sloped side surfaces 203,204, 207, and 208 can be angled relative to the surface of the roof ontowhich it is installed to redirect side directed flames away from thesurface of the roof

As shown in FIG. 2A, the side surfaces 203, 204, 207, and 208 can beconfigured to fully enclose the space between solar panel 201 and theroofing surface 110B. In other embodiments, in which installation ofmultiple solar panels is necessary or desirable, multiple mounting framedevices 206 can include variations that include different configurationshaving various combinations of the sloped side surfaces 203, 204, 207,and 208, that include all or some of the sides. More particularly,mounting frame device 206 can be configured to include only sidesurfaces 208 with ballast shelf surface 205 and a sloped side surface207 opposing sloped side surface 208 disposed on the opposite side ofsolar panel 201.

Alternatively, mounting frame device 206 can be configured to includesloped side surface 208 with shelf surface 205 and one of sloped sidesurface 204 or sloped side surface 203. Using such configurations ofmounting frame device 206, multiple solar panels 201 can be installed ona roof surface in which the mounting frame devices 206 form atessellated mounting structure with side surfaces encapsulating thevolume underneath the multiple solar panels 201.

While the side surfaces 203, 204, 207, and 208 are shown as meeting oneanother at the corners of the mounting frame device 206 to provide acomplete seal, various embodiments of the present invention also includearrangements of the four corners at which the side surfaces meet includea gap. Such gaps may be necessary if the mounting frame device 206 isinstalled on a site using pre-scored, precut, or pre-creased sheet-metalor other sheet material. Specifically, gaps at edges 210, 211, 212, and213 can also provide for ventilation of the backside of solar panels 201during normal operation of the solar panels to increase efficiency andavoid overheating. In similar embodiments, the sheet material out ofwhich mounting frame 206 is constructed, can include perforations orslits to provide ventilation to the solar panel 201 during normaloperation of the solar panels.

In some embodiments, the ballasts 210 can be integrally formed withshelf surface 205 of mounting frame 206. In other embodiments, shelfsurface 205 can include indentations or cutouts to accept ballasts of apredetermined size. In one embodiment, shelf surface 205 includes a flatcontinuous surface onto which ballasts, such as individual masonry units(IMUs), bricks, cinderblocks, rocks, or other relatively dense and heavyobjects that can fit under the gap between the underside of the topmounting surface 202 and the top surface of the mounting shelf 205.

FIG. 2B includes a cross-sectional view and an isometric view of amounting frame device 226, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. In such embodiments, the mounting frame device 226includes vertical side surfaces 223, 224, 227, and 228 that includes ashelf surface 225 disposed underneath the top surface 222. Vertical sidesurfaces 223, 224, 227 and 228 can be configured to be approximately atright angles relative to top surface 222 and solar panel 201. Similar tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, mounting frame device 226 can includegaps at edges 231, 232, 233, and 234 to provide ventilation for solarpanel 201 during normal operation. Just as mounting frame 206, mountingframe 226 can include various sheet materials, such as sheet-metal orhigh temperature composites. Such materials of mounting frame device 226can include notches, slots, or perforations to provide additionalventilation during normal operation of solar panel 201. The notches,slots, or perforations in the sheet material of mounting frame 226 canbe configured to allow air to flow to vent heat from the undersurface ofsolar panel 201, but configured to restrict the spread of fire in thespace between roofing surface 110B and the underside of the top surface222 and solar panel 201.

Similar to the embodiments described above in reference to FIG. 2A,mounting frame device 226 can include variations having differentcombinations of vertical side surfaces and open sides. For example,mounting frame 226 can include a vertical side surface 227 and avertical side surface 228 having a shelf surface 225, wherein shelfsurface 225 is disposed underneath the top surface 222. Like shelfsurface 205, shelf surface 225 can be configured to accept weights orballasts to secure the solar panel 201 and mounting frame 226 to flatroof surface 110B. In other embodiments, vertical side surface 228having shelf surface 225 can be coupled to the top surface 222 alongwith vertical side surface 223 or 224. Such embodiments are useful formounting solar panels 201 in rooftop installations having a plurality ofsolar panels. Various variations of mounting frame 226 can be used tocreate a composite tessellated mounting frame having vertical sidesurfaces surrounding the volume defined by the multiple top surfaces 222and the rooftop surface 110B.

The side surfaces 203, 204, 207, and 208 of FIG. 2A and vertical sidesurfaces 223, 224, 227, and 228, can be arranged relative to othermounting frames and other structures present on the rooftop on which theinstallation is located to resist the spread of fire in the volumeunderneath the top surfaces 202 or 222 and the rooftop surface 110B. Insome embodiments, this can mean that the sloped side surfaces and thevertical side surfaces have different lengths and bottom edge profilesthat are customized on-site or at the factory to accommodate variousfeatures on otherwise flat roofs or roofing systems. For example,vertical side surfaces 223 and 224 can be shorter than vertical sidesurfaces 227 and 228 to allow cables to be laid underneath mountingframe 226 and solar panel 201. Similarly vertical side surfaces 223 and224 can include notches or holes the pass through of cables from onesolar panel to another and finally down to a an uplink/downlinkelectrical connection coupled to an inverter or other power conditioningor converting device or system.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention formounting solar panels 201 onto a flat roof or roofing system surface110B. In such embodiments, solar panel 201 can be installed on the roofor roofing system surface 110B as shown in configuration 301A. Inconfiguration 301A solar panel 201 rests on the roof or roofing systemsurface 110B at point 310 and is propped up by a fire or heat sensitiveleg 330 such that the solar panel 201 is at an angle 320 relative to thesurface 110B. Installation configuration 301A shows fire heat sensitiveleg 330 in place supporting solar panel 201 at various points or alongthe line on one side of the bottom side of solar panel 201. Theconfiguration of the fire or heat sensitive leg 330 can vary based onthe requirements for configuration of the roof or roofing system surface110B. For example, fire heat sensitive leg 330 can be in the form of abar, a plank, individual shafts, rods, cones, pyramids, or any othershape suitable to stably holding solar panel 201 at angle 320 duringnormal operation.

Upon exposure to sufficient heat, fire, or flames, the material includedin fire heat sensitive leg 330 can be configured to melt, deform,collapse, or otherwise fail such that the solar panel 201 will fallalong direction 335 to be flush or approximately flush with the roof orroofing system surface 110B as shown in collapsed configuration 301B.The temperature at which the fire or heat sensitive leg 330 allows solarpanel 201 to become flush or approximately flush with the roof orroofing system surface 110B can be determined by the material used toconstruct the heat or fire sensitive leg 330. In some embodiments, isadvantageous for the material selected for the heat or fire sensitiveleg 332 to remain structurally sound at normal operating temperaturestypically encountered on a roof installation of solar panels.

When solar panel 210 is flush with the roof or roofing system surface110B, the application of fire from any angle parallel to the surface110B will be inhibited, thus preventing or suppressing the spread offire between roof or roofing surf system surface 110B and the solarpanel 201.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention which is avariation on the embodiment described above in reference to FIG. 3. Asshown the solar panel 201 can be installed on the roof or roofing systemsurface 110B using a mounting bracket 402 at one end of the solar panel210 that can pivot about a point 403. Point 403 can include a hinge, aCotter pin, a hinge pin, a screw, bolt, or any other elements capable ofproviding a pivot point. Once solar panel 201 is coupled to the mountingbracket 402 at the point 403, it can be lifted to create an angle withroof or roofing system surface 110B using a support structure or leg 406attached to the solar panel on the other end or edge attachment point405 and coupled to the roof or roofing system surface 110B via amounting bracket 407 via a pivot point 408, as shown in configuration400A. Support structure 406 can be coupled to the solar panel 201 via aheat or fire sensitive coupling element 405.

In some embodiments the heat or fire sensitive coupling element 405 caninclude a heat or fire sensitive adhesive or fastener that will melt,deform, collapse, or otherwise fail such that the solar panel 201 canfall to be flush or approximately flush with the roof or roofing systemsurface 110B, as shown in collapsed configuration 400B. The heat or firesensitive coupling element 405 can include a number of materialsincluding, but not limited to, metal alloys, composites, polymers,plastics, and ceramics. When exposed to excessive heat or firetemperatures, heat or fire sensitive coupling element 405 will release,thus allowing support structure to fall or rotate in the direction ofarrow 409B about pivot point 408. As support structure 406 rotates alongthe direction of arrow 409B about to the point 408, solar panel 201 willmove in the direction of arrow 409A about to the point 403 until it isin the collapsed configuration 400B. In such embodiments, solar panel201 can include a side vane or guard to block the gap between the roofor roofing system surface 110B and solar panel 201 due to the solarpanel 201 resting on one or more mounting brackets 407.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention forinstallation of solar panels 201 on flat or semi-flat roofs or roofingsystems. As shown, configuration 500A can include a solar panel 201coupled to a number of standoffs 503 which are resting on or coupled toa mounting frame 502. The mounting frame 502 can be coupled to a ballaststructure 501. The ballast structure 501 can include a number ofmaterials of sufficient density and weight to affix the solar panel 201to the roof or roofing system surface 110B without the use of fastenersor penetrations into the roofing surface 110B. In such embodiments,ballast structure 501 can include cementitious material, concrete foam,cinderblocks, or other fire resistance dense or heavy materials. In someembodiments, the height of standoffs 503 can be configured to providesufficient ventilation under solar panel 201 during normal operation.

FIG. 5 also shows a variation of configuration 500A in configuration500B that includes channel cuts or grooves 515 that can create wiring orcable conduits 550 when the configuration 500B unit is placed in-linewith another configuration 500B unit. Such installations beneficiallyprotect the wiring or cabling between solar panels 201, inverters, andother electrical components of other flat roof solar panel installationsshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a number of structural support mounts the can be used inflats roof or roofing system installations of solar panels 201 toprevent the spread of fire underneath the solar panel 201 according tovarious embodiments of the present invention. Each of the variations ofthe structural support mounts shown in FIG. 5 include a multi-walledstructure onto which a solar panel 201 can be placed. The multi-walledstructure can include a number of vertical wall elements coupled to oneanother in various configurations. The shape and configuration of thevertical wall elements can be customized based on the ventilation orcooling requirements of a particular solar panel 201 as well as anylocal, state, or federal fire codes.

For example, configuration 600 a can include a solar panel 201 restingon or coupled to a structural support mounts 601, 611, or 621.Structural support mounts 601, 611, and 621 can include a number ofvertical wall sections having identical or varied curves to providestructure and stability to one another when placed on a roof roofingsystem surface on the bottom edges of the walls. The solar panel 201 canthen rest on or be coupled to the top edges of the walls of thestructural support mounts 601, 611, and 621. The shape of the verticalwall sections of the structural support mounts 601, 611, and 621 caninclude hyperbolic, parabolic, circular and other curved profiles asillustrated in configurations 600A, 600B, and 600C. In such exemplaryembodiments, the shape and height of the vertical wall sections can beoptimized for number of factors or requirements such as firesuppression, wind resistance, solar panel cooling, and other operationalfactors. For example, structural support mounts 601 can provide enhancedsolar panel ventilation or cooling based on the amount of solar paneloverhang beyond the interior of the vertical wall sections.

In related embodiments, a plurality of structural support mounts 601,coupled to solar panels 201 can be installed next to one another in atiled fashion such that the structural support mounts 601, 611 or 621coupled to a first solar panel 201 will match up with and abut thestructural support elements 601, 611, or 621 of a second solar panelplaced next to the first solar panel 201. In such embodiments, it may bedesirable to use a single type of structural support mounts a particularsolar panel installation to maximize the efficiency and fire suppressioncharacteristics, such as the inclusion of the least number of gapsbetween the solar panels and structural support mounts. Some shapes ofstructural support mounts can advantageously redirect or reversed theflow of fire or flames directed into the gap between a number of solarpanels and the roof or the roofing system surface onto which they areplaced using the structural support mounts.

For example, structural support mounts 601 when placed next to anothersupport structure mount 601 will create a rounded or U-shaped block thatcan redirect the flow of fire that is directed underneath the solarpanels away from the space underneath the solar panel and above the roofsurface.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of a flat roof solar panel mountassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention that canredirect flames to help prevent or suppress the spread of fire on a roofunder solar panel 201. As shown, solar panel mount 713 can include astructure having a first, or bottom, wall and a second, or top, wallseparated by some distance to create a duct or channel between the firstand second walls. The channel can be curved, as shown, to have a roundedbend such that the internal channel transitions from a horizontalchannel to a vertical channel along path 712. Due to the curve in thetop wall of the solar panel mount 713, solar panel 201 can be placed ormounted at an angle, as shown. The space in between the top wall of thesolar panel mount 713 can be enclosed by a wall or skirt structure 720to prevent fire from entering the gap between the solar panel mount 713and solar panel 201.

In some embodiments, the solar panel mount 713 can include fire proofmaterials such as metal or a cementitious material comprising fire proofor retardant properties. In such embodiments, when flames are directedat the solar panel 201 and solar panel mount 713 combination along thedirection 710 parallel with the roof surface 110B, the flames can beredirected through the inner channel of the solar panel mount 713 alongdirection 712 up and away from the surface of the roof 110B to helpavoid the spread of fire on the roof or under solar panel 201. Whenflames are directed at the solar panel 200 and solar panel mount 713along direction 711 parallel with the roof surface 110B, the flames arestopped from reaching the space underneath the solar panel mount 713 bythe bottom wall.

When flames are directed in a direction into the page parallel to theroof surface 110B, the flames are stopped by the wall 720. When multiplesolar panels are installed on a roof in a row, the solar panel mount 713can be dimensioned such that it can support multiple solar panels in aline. Alternatively, each solar panel mount 713 can be dimensioned tosupport a single solar panel 201 and configured to abut and or a coupleto a neighboring solar panel mount 713 to create a line of solar panels201 and solar panel mounts 713 assemblies. In such embodiments, only theend solar panel 201 and solar panel mount 713 assemblies need include anend wall 720 to prevent flames or fire from entering the gap between thesolar panel mount 713 and the solar panels 201.

FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention that can beused to install solar panels 201 on both flat and tilted roof surfaces.As shown, solar panel 201 is installed on roof surface 110B by mountingbrackets 801 and 802. Solar panel 201 can be positioned in a horizontalor tilted configuration by varying the lengths of the leg elements ofbrackets 801 and 802. Each of mounting brackets 801 and 802 can includeextruded metal rails having wall sections that extend from the bottomsurface of the solar panel 201 to the roof surface 110B to block flamesare directed along the directions 820 and 821 parallel with the roofsurface 110B, thus preventing or suppressing the spread of fire in thespace underneath the solar panel 201 in the surface of the roof.

In related embodiments, mounting bracket 801 can include the lip orshelf element 805 for excepting a fastener or ballast 810. In flat roofinstallations, as shown, the top surface of shelf element 805 caninclude indentations or holes for accepting specifically designed orgeneral purpose ballast blocks. In tilted roof solutions, the shelfelement 805 can include pass-through holes for accepting fasteners, suchas screws, bolts or rivets, to couple mounting bracket 801 to the roofsurface 110B. Mounting bracket 802 can include a leg element having abottom edge that rests on the roof surface 110B.

In related embodiments, each of mounting brackets 801 and 802 can bedimensioned to accept multiple solar panels 102. In such embodiments,each mounting bracket 801 can include rails that except an edge of solarpanels 201 in a clamp section. As shown, the clamp section can comprisea C-shaped or U-shaped region into which the edge of solar panel 201 canbe seated or clipped.

FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In suchembodiments, a solar panel 201 is mounted to a roof surface 110B onmounting brackets 902 and 903 in the normal operating configuration901A. Fire block elements 910 and 913 can be affixed around theperimeter of solar panel 201. While fire block elements 910 and 913 areshown coupled to solar panel 210 at joints 911 and 912 at a downwardangle toward the surface 110B, various embodiments can include couplingthe fire block elements 910 and 913 in other angles, including parallelto the solar panel 901. During normal operation the solar panel 201installed in configuration 901A, all of the elements remain stationaryor static and the fire block elements 910 and 913 relative to the roofsurface 110B to provide ventilation and cooling for the solar panel 201.Upon application of heat or flames in the direction of arrow 920directed at the gap under the fire block elements 910 and solar panel201 and above roof surface 110B, fire block element 910 can collapseinto either configuration 901B or 901C.

Configuration 900 1B illustrates the embodiment in which fire blockelement 910 is coupled to solar panel 201 using a heat or fire sensitivejoint 911. At a certain temperature, joint 911 can be configured tocollapse down to block fire, heat or flames coming from the direction920 from entering the space underneath solar panel net 201 and aboveroof surface 110B, thus preventing or suppressing the spread of fireunder the solar panel 201.

Configuration 901C illustrates another embodiment in which fire blockelement 910 includes a material that will melt, deform, bend orotherwise fail to conform to the gap between the solar panel 201 and theroof surface 110B, as shown. FIG. 10 shows a close-up of a variation ofthe configuration 901C.

Solar panel 201 can be coupled to the roof surface 110B by a mountingbracket 1001 using fasteners or ballast. In such embodiments, the fireblocking elements 1010 can be configured to deform or drop into positionupon exposure to heat or flames of a certain temperature such that theportion of the fire blocking elements 1010 includes ripples or waves1020 that have multiple points of contact 1030 with surface 110B. Insuch embodiments, the fire blocking element 1010 can include a materialthat can provide tension between the multiple contact points 1030 andthe roof surface 110B. Such materials include, but are not limited tostainless steel, metal alloys, and composite plastics and polymers withspring characteristics. Advantages of having multiple contact points1030 between fire blocking element 1010 and the roof surface 110Binclude the ability to effectively block heat, fire or flames fromreaching the underside of solar panel 201.

FIG. 11 shows a building integrated photovoltaic installation on aslanted roof 1104, according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. Such embodiments are advantageous when installed in a newconstruction or during the construction of a new roofing system. Theroofing system shown in FIG. 11 is a shingle or composite roofing systemthat can include an underlying or sub roof surface 1104. The underlyingor sub roof surface 1104 can be made of a number of materials thatprovide support, structure and possibly another layer of water proofmembrane onto which the other components of the roofing system 1100 canbe affixed. As shown, the roofing system that includes the buildingintegrated photovoltaic cells 1120 as part of the shingled oroverlapping elements also includes mounting brackets 1115 that can befastened, adhered, or otherwise affixed to the underlying or sub roofsurface 1104. The installation of such building integrated photovoltaicsystems can begin with coupling an array of mounting brackets 1115 tothe underlying or sub roof surface 1104. Such an array of mountingbrackets can include multiple rows disposed over the underlying or subroof surface 1104 with separations 1130 between the rows that are thenfitted with overlapping rows of framed or frameless photovoltaic cells1115. As in the shingle figuration shown in FIG. 11, the overlappingelements 1115 and 1120 can include standard glass module laminate solarcells with and without frames.

Once the array of mounting brackets are disposed on the roof surface,installers can begin placing photovoltaic cells 1115 into the clampsection of the mounting brackets. In some embodiments, the clampsections of the mounting brackets 1115 include a click-lock system thatprovides for the insertion of one edge of the photovoltaic cell 1120.The interface with the click-lock system of the mounting bracket 1115can be configured to engage the photovoltaic cell 1020 with a positiveand secure physical coupling. In related embodiments, mounting bracket1115 can also be configured to include wiring and wire contacts toelectrically couple to contacts on the specialized photovoltaic cell1120 to provide both physical coupling and electrical coupling when thephotovoltaic cell 1120 is inserted into the clamp section of mountingbracket 1115. In other embodiments, photovoltaic cells 1120 can befurther secured by inserting or applying adhesive between the backsideof the photovoltaic cell and a mounting located in a lower row ofmounting brackets.

Has shown, the top row of mounting brackets and photovoltaic cells canbe using metal flashing, or some other suitable material for flashing,1110. The flashing 1110 can be coupled to the underlying or sub roofsurface 1104 at the top using traditional fastening methods and securedto the top row of mounting brackets using the adhesive under the portionof the flashing that overlaps the top of the top row of mountingbrackets. All rows, including the bottom row, of photovoltaics can bestabilized and protected from mechanical stress by inserting spacersand/or adhesive in locations 1125.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment the present invention for theinstallation of solar panels on existing tilted shingled roofing system.As shown, solar panels 1210 can be installed on the roof system using avariety of mounting brackets. Such mounting brackets can include all ofthe roof type mounting brackets 1230 and middle of the roof mountingbrackets 1235. In such installations, solar panels 1210 can be installedin one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of solar panels disposedalong a longitudinal direction of the roof. In such installations, caninclude a downslope fire blocking element 1201 similar to fire blockingelements described above. The fire blocking element 1201 can include anupper materials that can be configured to lower or deform into placesuch that the fire blocking element 1201 is disposed to block heat,fire, or flames from entering the gap between the solar panels 1210 andthe roofing surface.

In similar embodiments, in which the solar panel installation includesonly a single solar panel or a one-dimensional array of solar panelsdisposed in a latitudinal direction on the roof surface, fire blockingelements 1201 can be installed on the lower edge of the solar panel 1220and fire blocking element 1202 can be disposed or affixed to the topedge of the solar panel 1220. In such configurations, when exposed totemperatures exceeding a certain temperature, one or both of the fireblocking elements 1201 and 1202 can be repositioned or deform intoposition so as to prevent or suppress the spread of heat, fire, orflames from reaching the gap between solar panel 1220 in the surface ofthe roof.

FIG. 13 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention that canbe using installation of solar panels 201 on a flat or tilted roof toprevent spread of heat, fire, or flames from entering the gap betweenthe roof surface and the underside of the solar panel 201. As shown,solar panel 201 can be mounted to the roof surface via mounting brackets1301. Side skirts 1320, 1325, 1330, and 1335 can be affixed to the outeredges of the solar panel 200. Each of the side skirts can include anumber of louvers 1315 that extend downward toward the surface of theroof and outward from the center of the solar panel 201. The length inthe direction of the louvers 1315 can vary depending on the height ofmounting brackets 1301 and the requirements of any applicable firecodes.

As depicted in the side view of the configuration 1300, heat, fire, orflames can be directed along the direction of 1310 or 1320. In suchembodiments, at least some portion of heat, fire, or flames directedunder the configuration 1300 including side skirts 1320, solar panel201, and side skirts 1325 will be redirected toward the top surface ofthe fire skirts thus reducing the amount of heat, fire, or flames thatreach the region between the underside of solar panel 201 and the roofsurface. The portion of the heat, fire, or flames that reaches theregion between the underside of solar panel 201 and the roofing surfacecan be determined by the dimensions of the louvers 1315. The longer andwider the louvers 1315 are dimensioned, the lower the portion of theheat, fire, or flames directed along directions 1310 and 1320 betweenthe underside of solar panel 201 and the roof surface. The reduction ofthe heat, fire or flames reaches the region between the underside ofsolar panel 201 and the roof surface will help prevent or suppress thespread of fire or flames under the solar panel 201.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the presentinvention along with examples of how aspects of the present inventionmay be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not bedeemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate theflexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Based on the above disclosure and the followingclaims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalentswill be evident to those skilled in the art and may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire blocking apparatus for a solar panel mounted to an underlying mounting surface, the fire blocking apparatus comprising: a panel support structure configured to be mounted between a solar panel and the mounting surface thereby supporting and creating a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive leg.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel support structure comprises a support leg and a coupling joint that includes a heat or fire sensitive adhesive or fastener.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a first mounting bracket disposed between the solar panel and the mounting surface, and a second mounting bracket disposed between the support leg and the mounting surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the solar panel, and the second mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the support leg.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel support structure positions the solar panel at an angle relative to the mounting surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the angle is defined by the solar panel and the mounting surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the angle decreases when the panel support structure collapses.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel support structure comprises a first end and a second end opposite of the first end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first end is coupled to a bottom surface of the solar panel, and the second end is coupled to the underlying mounting surface.
 11. A solar panel system, comprising: a solar panel configured to be mounted on a mounting surface; and a fire blocking apparatus coupled to the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein the fire blocking apparatus comprises: a panel support structure configured to be vertically positioned between the solar panel and the mounting surface to support the solar panel and create a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive leg.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the panel support structure comprises a support leg and a coupling joint that includes a heat or fire sensitive adhesive or fastener.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a first mounting bracket disposed between the solar panel and the mounting surface, and a second mounting bracket disposed between the support leg and the mounting surface.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the solar panel, and the second mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the support leg.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the panel support structure positions the solar panel at an angle relative to the mounting surface.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the angle is defined by the solar panel and the mounting surface.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the angle decreases when the panel support structure collapses.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the panel support structure comprises a first end and a second end opposite of the first end.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first end is coupled to a bottom surface of the solar panel, and the second end is coupled to the underlying mounting surface. 